Evolution in action: invasion of the giant toads

The infamous quick-evolving cane toads that have been invading Australia for 70 years appear to have adapted so well that they might conquer twice as much of the continent than was first predicted.

The original invasion models apparently failed to predict that the toads would adapt to Australian habitats so quickly. The fact that the toads are becoming more Australian as they invade — spreading further, faster — has big implications for the study of invasive species around the world. . .

"All of a sudden in the last ten years it changes," said Skelly. "They're moving into areas where they physical environment is not like anything in their native range."

That implies that the cane toads have evolved more tolerance for the hotter climates they are now encountering. This is on top of the discovery last year that the toads at the forefront of the invasion had evolved longer legs than those in the interior of their range.

Posted by David on April 6, 2007 6:50 PM